What to Do in Big Sur for a Day
If you are looking for a place to explore that is divers by natural beauty, we recommend that yous spend a day in Big Sur in California. The ocean is the highlight of the bulldoze downward Highway 1 with crashing waves and sweeping vistas. It is a place for camping in Pfeiffer Large Sur State Park, hiking in Point Lobos, shopping, and exploring. There are so many fun things to do in Large Sur, particularly from Apr to October which is the best fourth dimension to visit.
The Best Things to Do In Large Sur
To make the most of your drive through Big Sur, we suggest using a cocky-driving auto tour. It is a very informative tour and highlights the best stops in Big Sur.
1. Big Sur Station/Visitor Middle
If y'all demand some help getting familiar with the all-time things to do in Big Sur, the Tourist Information Center is a great end. Rangers are on-site to help with questions from 9 AM – four PM. They accept information about hiking, where to camp in the area, and things to exercise.
This is likewise one of the few areas in the surface area that has cell coverage and maps are bachelor hither. The maps we got at the ranger station were specially helpful. Be sure to download the maps of the surface area ahead of fourth dimension because cell service is very, very limited.
2. Savor the Highway 101 Bulldoze
One of the best things to exercise in Big Sur is to enjoy the beautiful drive. Highway 101 is total of dramatic coastlines, beautiful views, and curvy roads. There are lots of places to pull over and enjoy the views. Take your fourth dimension to enjoy the beauty around you.
3. Bixby Bridge
If you are coming into Big Sur from the northward, ane of your first stops should be at the Bixby Creek Bridge. It is one of the almost photographed bridges in California.
You can view the bridge from both the due east and west sides of the road. On our way into Big Sur, the west side was closed due to construction, so we took the turnoff on the east side.
On our way dorsum to Monterey, the west side was open. Nosotros preferred the views from the west side, only it was definitely busier. If you lot're looking for some extra time to have pictures with the span without a lot of people, head to the east overflow lot.
4. Ragged Indicate
The highlight of Ragged Bespeak is the beautiful coastal views. The Ragged Point Overlook is virtually fifteen miles past Hearst Castle. It is at the southernmost cease of the Large Sur declension.
This is a skillful place to get gas and some snacks for your fourth dimension in Large Sur if you demand them. There are not a lot of other options past this spot. Gas in Large Sur is expensive!
5. Signal Sur State Historic Park
The Signal Sur State Celebrated Park is habitation to the Signal Sur Lighthouse. The lighthouse is the but complete light station open up to the public in California.
Tours are available year-round on the weekends and seasonally on Wednesdays. The tours are iii-hour walking tours. You lot tin also go on a 90-minute bout of the Point Sur Naval Facility on Saturdays and Sundays.
vi. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Julia Pfeiffer Burns Land Park is domicile to the famous McWay Falls, a beautiful waterfall that flows into the Pacific Ocean. In that location is a short ½-mile overlook trail to see the waterfall. The waterfall is nearly lxxx feet tall and is surrounded by granite cliffs and a sandy cove. The beach is closed to the public.
If the but thing you want to run across in the park is McWay Falls at that place is an overlook on the side of Highway 101 before going into the park. The view from this pullout is nearly every bit adept as taking the hike and volition salvage you the entrance fee.
7. Partington Cove
If you want to do a little more hiking in Julia Pfeiffer Burns Land Park, you lot can hike the Partington Cove Trail. It is a i-mile hike.
Partington Cove is a remote cove beneath Partington Point in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. At that place isn't much sand at the cove so if you lot're looking for a twenty-four hours at the embankment, this probably isn't the spot for you.
From the main road, the trail splits into two trails. The first goes down to the rocky beach inside the cove. The second trail takes you lot to the viewpoint of another cove. The 2d trail does take you through a cool threescore-foot-long tunnel.
eight. Pfeiffer Falls
- Length: 1.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 419 feet
- Road Type: Out & Back
- Difficulty: Easy
This is a cute trail that volition take you through the Big Sur Redwood forests. It is one of the most pop hikes in Pfeiffer Big Sur Country Park and starts near the guild. It is good for all skill levels and a great trail for picnicking.
9. Garrapata State Park
Garrapata State Park has about two miles of beach along with a 50-pes climb to dramatic views of the coastline. There are also a agglomeration of dissimilar coastal hiking trails that meander through the park. Soberanes Signal is another beautiful view.
The Soberanes Coulee Trail is almost 1.25 miles long. This is now an out and back trail because parts of the trail are closed. The trail takes hikers to the edge of the coastline.
The Garrapata State Park Bluff Trail is an piece of cake walk out to the ocean viewpoints.
10. Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
One of the best places to camp at the Pfeiffer Big Sur Campground. Forth with camping, the park is a great place for hiking and swimming in the Big Sur River.
John Pfeiffer settled the area known as Big Sur Land Park in 1884. His cabin has been reconstructed forth the park's Gorge Trail. In the 1930s, Pfeiffer had offers from developers to buy his country but instead, he sold it to California which is why it is called Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Throughout the park, you volition find stunning views of the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Big Sur River Gorge. Wildlife through Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park are black-tailed deer, skunks, birds, turkeys, and raccoons.
Ane of the best things to do in Pfeiffer Big Sur Country Park is hiking. There are groovy hiking trails going through the 1,000-acre surface area. The Pfeiffer Falls Trail is the most popular. Bask the beautiful views of the Pacific Bounding main and the Big Sur River.
xi. Pfeiffer Beach
One of the highlights of Pfeiffer Big Sur Country Park is Pfeiffer Beach. It is kind of tricky to find if yous don't know what you're looking for. If you are using Google maps you should simply be able to put information technology in your GPS. There is a sign (shown below) on the westward side of the road showing you where to turn.
Highlights at the beach are the imperial sand made from manganese garnet particles and Keyhole Stone. This is one of the fun things to practise in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. At that place were only a few other people at the beach while nosotros were there.
The waves were too rough for pond merely there were some smaller wade pools that Rowen and Raven enjoyed playing in.
Pfeiffer Embankment is a magical place to scout the sunset and is ane of the best things to do in Big Sur Country Park.
12. Henry Miller Memorial Library
The Henry Miller Library is an arts center that honors author and creative person Henry Miller. The library is the 2nd biggest compilation of his manuscripts and letters in the globe. It is a beautiful building that is fun to explore.
Another interesting and unique stop in the park is at the Molera Ranch Firm Museum. The Ranch House is open up for tours on Saturdays from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The ranch house museum gives visitors a look into life in the Large Sur area 100 years ago.
The Henry Miller Memorial Library is a gathering place for community performances as well every bit a bookstore. Information technology is a great place to meet local artists' piece of work likewise.
Henry Miller lived in Large Sur for eighteen years. He moved from Big Sur in 1963, moving to Pacific Palisades where he lived until his death in 1980. Today, Henry Miller'southward country and cabin are now this cute library. It is a nonprofit volume store, operation venue, and place for the arts.
The Henry Miller Library is surrounded by beautiful redwoods and a nice creek you can explore. Throughout the grounds, yous will discover beautiful sculptures and pieces of fine art.
13. Betoken Lobos State Natural Reserve
If y'all are looking for cute views of the coast, a Point Lobos hike should exist on your itinerary. Along with hiking, you can explore tide pools, spend time at the beach, take beautiful pictures and await for wildlife.
Some of the highlights in Bespeak Lobos are Cypress Grove Trail, the Onetime Veteran Cypress, and spotting the bounding main lions and ocean otters at Sea Lion Point. China Cove is a pop identify for photography and is really pretty. Visiting Signal Lobos is one of the best things to do in Large Sur about Los Padres National Forest with family.
Parking is very limited inside Bespeak Lobos. There are only almost 75 parking spots. You lot will either need to get in that location early in the day or visit later in the afternoon around three:00 pm. We stopped by at effectually 10:00 am and parking was full but we came dorsum effectually 3:00 pm and had no problem parking.
If parking is total when you visit, you can walk in. There are parking spots available on the side of Highway 1. It isn't a short walk into the park but it is doable.
Here are some of the all-time Point Lobos trails –
- Indicate Lobos Loop Trail: v-mile moderate trail
- Bird Island Trail and China Cove: 0.eight-mile easy trail
- Sand Hill Trail and Sea Lion Point: 0.4-mile like shooting fish in a barrel trail with wildlife viewpoints
- Cypress Grove Trail: 0.8-mile easy trail
Nosotros loved spending time in Point Lobos. It is so fun to see the wildlife in the reserve and relish the beautiful views from the hiking trails.
For more data near visiting Signal Lobos, check out nine of the Best Betoken Lobos Hikes with the Best Littoral Views.
fourteen. Andrew Molera State Park
Andrew Molera Land Park is found at the oral fissure of the Big Sur River. It is a peachy place for relaxing on the beach and hiking. You likewise become a bully view of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
The Park is also a very popular spot for surfing along the Big Sur declension.
fifteen. Ewoldsen Trail
The Ewoldsen Trail volition take you through 5 miles of beautiful redwood groves and beautiful ocean views. A quick quarter-mile stroll volition accept you by a large waterfall as well. This is not an easy trail to hike through. There are some steep gradients but the trail is well maintained.
Notation: There are some clusters of poisonous substance oak on the side of this trail.
There is a $10 parking fee unless yous park on Highway ane outside the park.
sixteen. Visit Carmel-by-the-Ocean
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a European-styled city and is consistently ranked as 1 of the meridian 10 destinations in the United States. The charming downtown area and beautiful white, sandy beach make a twenty-four hour period trip from Large Sur near Los Padres National Woods a lot of fun. Yous can easily combine it with a trip downwardly 17-Mile Bulldoze.
Be sure to spend some fourth dimension walking the downtown area to visit the quaint shops and exist sure to try some of the sweets at Cottage of Sweets. They specialize in British chocolate.
17. Sand Dollar Beach
Searching for sand dollars and watching the surfers are commonplace at Sand Dollar Beach. The sand dollars are not super common on the beach, but y'all tin detect them. This crescent-shaped beach is the largest stretch of sand in Big Sur.
Keep your eyes on the water for the migrating whales. You tin climb a curt trail to the Sand Dollar Embankment lookout bespeak for a amend view.
Sand Dollar Beach is open from x AM to 6 PM and parking is $x.
18. Drive 17-Mile Drive
Only northward is the famous 17-Mile Bulldoze along Pebble Beach, a famous golfing customs. In that location are beautiful views of the declension, mansions to marvel over, and nice golf courses. The entrance fee is $ten.l per vehicle.
Some of the highlights of 17-Mile Drive are Bird Rock and the Lone Cypress. You will get a map with the recommended stops when paying the entrance fee.
xix. Hiking in Big Sur
The best way to take the scenery of the Big Sur coastline is by hiking. Hikes range in difficulty and well as length. Information technology is best to double-check that a trail is open before heading out though. Hiking trails in Big Sur consistently close and reopen due to fires and floods.
Hiking is i of our peak things to do in Large Sur.
20. Jade Cove Trail
- Length: i.six miles
- Elevation Gain: 120 anxiety
- Road Blazon: Loop
- Difficulty: Piece of cake
Jade Cove Trail is a broad-open trail with breathtaking views of rocky coves. The short hike is pretty much apartment except for a short merely steep trail to the water where y'all tin wait for jade. The trail wraps effectually the coast so plan on some beautiful coastal views.
21. Factory Creek Trail
- Length: 3.3 miles
- Elevation Proceeds: 610 feet
- Route Type: Out & Back
- Difficulty: Easy
This is not as popular of a hike so if y'all're looking to escape the crowds, this i is for yous. The trail starts in the dumbo lush woods and will have you lot through the redwood copse as well as maple and sycamores.
This trailhead can be tricky to notice. It is just on the side of a dirt turnout almost 0.8 miles up Nacimiento-Fergusson Road. Proceed an eye out so y'all don't miss information technology!
22. Andrew Molera Country Park
The Andrew Molera State Park has a number of dandy trails for hiking. Bicycling is also allowed on certain trails. Trails volition take yous along the cute bluffs with cute views of the Pacific Sea. In that location are also trails that will have y'all up the Big Sur River area.
Here are some of the best trails in Andrew Molera State Park –
- Embankment Hiking: two miles one way
- Bluffs Trail: one.7 miles i manner
- Creamery Meadow Trail: 2 miles roundtrip
- Headlands Trail: 2 miles roundtrip
23. Bulldoze One-time Coast Road
If you lot are visiting with a mountain bike or four-wheel bulldoze vehicle accept some time to explore the Erstwhile Coast Road. Information technology is an unpaved road just the views are cute and traveling this road is one of the unique things to do in Large Sur.
The Old Coast Route was used to drive through Large Sur earlier the Bixby Span was built. Only afterwards the bridge, there is a small parking lot which is where you will find the route.
24. Limekiln State Park
If you are in search of the beautiful redwood trees, you will find a agglomeration in Limekiln State Park. In that location are 3 canyons in Limekiln where y'all can hike through the redwoods. This is also a quieter state park in Big Sur.
If yous are looking for outdoor activities, Limekiln Land Park is a smashing identify to go.
1 of the coolest things to see in Limekiln Country Park is the remnants of four big limekiln furnaces used in the 1800s to purify lime for cement. This cement was used to build the ancestry of San Francisco.
25. Limekiln Falls
- Length: 1.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 331 feet
- Route Blazon: Out & Back
- Difficulty: Moderate
Forth with hiking in Limekiln Land Park, Limekiln Falls is a must-run across! Information technology is a 100-foot waterfall institute upward Limekiln Creek. There are some areas where you lot have to cross the stream on stones.
The trailhead is at the terminate of the camping area. If you are not camping, there is a $10 parking fee.
things to practice in big sur in one mean solar day – A One 24-hour interval Large Sur Itinerary
If you only have 1 24-hour interval to explore Big Sur, you will nonetheless get to see the highlights and cute coastline. Here is our recommendation for the best things to do in Big Sur in one day.
- Bixby Span – an iconic view in Large Sur with great photo opportunities
- Pfeiffer Beach – a beautiful beach with regal sand
- McWay Falls – a beautiful waterfall feeding into the Pacific Ocean
- Partington Cove – a brusk 1 mile hike in the same state park equally McWay Falls with cute views
- Pfieffer Big Sur Land Park – some other beautiful area if you desire to do more hiking
- Garrapata State Park – cute hiking trails and not bad viewpoints
Large Sur One-Solar day Tour
Large Sur is beautiful and it's wonderful to explore on your own. But, with there being so many dissimilar stops, it tin be like shooting fish in a barrel to miss many of some of the most beautiful places in the area.
If you desire the best experience in Big Sur, I suggest booking a guided bout with California Pacific Excursions.
Map of The Best Things to do in Big Sur
How to Use This Map: Click on the icons on the map to get more information almost each signal of interest.
If you click the star adjacent to the title of the map, this will be added to your Google Maps business relationship. To view information technology on your phone or computer, open Google Maps. Then click on the bill of fare button, go to "Your Place" and click on Maps. Yous will see this map added to your listing.
Is Large Sur worth visiting?
The Big Sur declension is hands downwards a worthy road trip destination or a fun place to stay, even if you aren't going on a route trip. Information technology is full of great things to practice for travelers who love to be outdoors and feel nature. The dramatic coastlines, cute water, and fun hiking trails combine to brand it a great destination.
How many days practise you need in Big Sur?
A lot of people pass through Big Sur as part of a west coast road trip. If you are going to be driving upward the declension, we recommend staying at to the lowest degree one dark in the area to give you lot enough time to see the highlights.
If you are staying in the area, we recommend spending at least two-three days in the area. At that place are and so many cute hikes, beaches, and nearby towns that volition make it piece of cake to fill those three days. One of the all-time parts well-nigh visiting Big Sur is non being rushed and taking the time to enjoy the expanse at a relaxing pace. You can as well easily add some other 24-hour interval to explore Point Lobos.
Is the Big Sur drive unsafe?
The Pacific Declension Highway is one of the country's near dangerous highways all the same practise not let this scare yous from visiting. The route is narrow with sharper turns. Lots of accidents happen because people are looking at the scenery instead of keeping their optics on the road.
If you want to see something, pull over and keep an eye out for other drivers stopped in the road, especially around the sharper corners. At that place is so much to see in this area, especially in Garrapata State Park that the bulldoze is well worth it.
essential large sur Declension tips
- If you want to camp in Big Sur or nearby Carmel-by-the-Bounding main, you volition need to make your reservations well in advance. We stayed in Monterey which is nearly xl minutes abroad. We didn't mind the actress bulldoze considering of the beautiful views.
- At that place is little to no prison cell coverage in Big Sur in California. Programme ahead by downloading the maps on your phone if you are planning on using that for navigation. Also, accept a good idea of the places y'all want to run across and restaurants because yous will not have a reliable connection to Google or Yelp.
- If you need a map, visit the Large Sur Station. They have maps that make information technology easy to find all of the fun things to do in Big Sur and have other recommendations on how to enjoy the area.
- Bring cash with yous. Some of the parks in the surface area charge for parking and only have cash payments.
- Fuel is very expensive along the Big Sur coast then fill up before heading into the area.
Large Sur Weather
Summertime has the all-time weather in the expanse. In the summer months, usually from June to September, there is very niggling pelting with temperatures in the upper 70s.
During the winter months, usually from November to February, highs are in the upper 60s with more rain. December to Feb has pretty high precipitation for the area.
Where to Stay in Big Sur
Finding accommodations in Large Sur will go along you close to the beautiful surface area but can exist difficult to detect, especially if you aren't planning your trip half dozen months in accelerate. It isn't uncommon for campgrounds to fill six months in advance.
However, at that place are lots of nearby towns if you aren't able to observe accommodations in Big Sur, yous tin can wait in nearby Carmel, Monterey, San Simeon where y'all can see the elephant seals, or Cambria.
Big Sur Coast Camping
There are a variety of private campgrounds every bit well equally campgrounds in the state parks. Here are a few of the campgrounds available in the expanse.
- Big Sur Campground and Cabins: yr-round RV and tent sites bachelor as well as inner tube rentals, laundry and playground
- Fernwood Campground: tent, RV and cabins available as well as WiFi, hiking trails, store and eating place
- Julia Pfeiffer Burns Country Park: 2 hike-in campsites
- Kirk Creek Campground: cute ocean views with sites for tents and RVs, bring your own h2o
- Limekiln Country Park: 33 developed sites available
If the campgrounds are full, you tin look into camping on the side of the road on the nearby public BLM country in the Los Padres National Forest.
Best Hotels in Big Sur
- Ventana Big Sur: an developed only resort overlooking the Pacific Coast with an onsite spa and Japanese hot bath
- Big Sur Lodge: found in the eye of Big Sur with a eating house, swimming pool, and a la bill of fare breakfast
- Fernwood Resort: rustic simply established lodging with stunning mount views
Hotel accommodations in Big Sur are expensive. Remember to look in the nearby cities if you are on a budget or find the nightly costs in Big Sur to be too expensive.
Best Restaurants in Big Sur
The phrase that best describes the restaurants in Big Sur is farm to tabular array. Many of these restaurants offer a succulent meal with a breathtaking view. Whether you lot are looking for luxury or but a quick bite there are lots of dining options in Big Sur.
- Nepenthe: be sure to effort the restaurant's signature roast chicken with sage stuffing and cranberries
- Big Sur Bakery: a bully identify for brunch, scrambled eggs are served on wood-fired sourdough toast
- Large Sur Roadhouse: classic Californian cuisine with a twist of Cajun
- Big Sur River Inn: stop by on a Lord's day afternoon for a barbecue and live music
- Big Sur Cafeteria: a corking place to catch sandwiches, tacos, and burritos or get them to become
Things to Do in Big Sur: Conclusion
We hope you accept found this guide helpful in planning your visit to this beautiful role of the California coast. We always love driving down Highway one and Big Sur is ane of our favorite spots because of how beautiful it is. The western coast of the United States has so much to offer.
Experience free to reach out on Instagram or drop a comment below if y'all have whatever questions about what it is like visiting Big Sur!
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Source: https://csginger.com/how-to-spend-a-day-in-big-sur-california/
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